Willi Heinz

Willi Heinz (born 24 November 1986) is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for Canterbury in the Bunnings NPC and Crusaders in the Super Rugby . Heinz started his professional career with the 2 clubs before moving to England and playing for Gloucester and Worcester Warriors in the Premiership. After almost a decade away he returned to his home clubs in 2022. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, he represented England in international rugby.

Willi Heinz
Birth nameWilli Heinz
Date of birth (1986-11-24) 24 November 1986
Place of birthChristchurch, Canterbury region, New Zealand
Height181.5 cm (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight88 kg (13 st 12 lb; 194 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-Half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2021 Gloucester 100 (75)
2021–2022 Worcester Warriors 9 (5)
Correct as of 28 July 2020
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2015 2022- Canterbury 54 (66)
Correct as of 13 August 2022
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2015 2023 Crusaders 58 (22)
Current local club Canterbury
Correct as of 3 August 2014
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019- England 13 (0)
Correct as of 17 September 2019

Heinz played four years in his 1st XV rugby team at school, Burnside High, which is a record for the school.

On 24 February 2015, English Premiership club Gloucester Rugby announced his signing for the start of the 2015–16 season.[1]

In May 2017, he was invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones.[2] Heinz qualifies to represent England through his grandmother.[3]

In August 2019, he was selected as the starting scrum-half and vice-captain for England's first summer international against Wales. That game marked his international debut for the England national team. The next day, Heinz was named in England's 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

On 23 February 2021, Heinz agreed to leave Gloucester for local rivals Worcester Warriors after six seasons on a two-year contract, option for a further season from the 2021–22 season.[4] He left with immediate effect to return to New Zealand in March 2022.[5]

References
  1. "Gloucester sign Crusaders scrum-half Willi Heinz". Sky Sports. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  2. "England rugby: Willi Heinz and Jason Woodward selected for training camp". BBC. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  3. "Heinz honours grandmother with England call-up". Sport24. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  4. "Willi Heinz: Worcester sign Gloucester and England scrum-half for 2021-22". BBC Sport. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  5. "Worcester Warriors | Willi Heinz returns to New Zealand". warriors.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2022.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.